Welcome to the EquiRatings Archive, a treasure trove of timeless tales that celebrate the unique bond between horse and rider, the thrill of competition, and the beauty of this age-old tradition. Here, you'll find an extensive collection of stories from the world of equestrian sports, covering everything in show jumping and eventing.

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The Numbers Behind Rebecca Farm's CCI4*-S

<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix is Set to Break a Wellington Record.</h2>
The Rolex US Equestrian Open Final:&nbsp;Saturday, March 28th | Wellington, Week 12&nbsp;
Twelve weeks of competition in Wellington. Three CSI5* Grand Prixes completed and the the biggest night of them all awaits.&nbsp;
The $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix takes center stage this Saturday. The coverage won&rsquo;t be light - a fan guide later this week, a special preview <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">podcast</a> on Friday, and daily articles across the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microsite.</a>
Two episodes of The Open Road are already live, featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_60FqMTTwTE&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Cook</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hS9O_pQ1sI&amp;list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2&amp;index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Springsteen</a> Saturday night. Tune in before the weekend. 
When the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final lights up the International Arena on Saturday night, fans are likely to be watching the most powerful Grand Prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the best 20 rated fields of the last 15 years.&nbsp;
The EquiRatings&rsquo; ELO model rates every horse based on how it performs round‑by‑round against the quality of opposition, updating after every result. In simple terms, the higher the ELO, the more consistently that horse is beating strong fields; horses in the 770+ range are operating right at the top of the sport.​
To measure the quality of a Grand Prix line‑up, EquiRatings uses a field‑strength rating: the average current ELO of the top 25 horses on the start list.​ Every big name that makes it through Thursday and Friday&rsquo;s qualifiers can move that field‑strength number significantly.​
When Checker 47 and&nbsp;Christian Kukuk&nbsp;claimed the Rolex US Equestrian Open Jumping Final last year, they did it against what was, at the time, the strongest Grand Prix field Wellington had ever seen, with a field‑strength rating of 730.​
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/66ff2db6-86fb-4112-b0c1-2951572a8ea7.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Field Stength">
Last year&rsquo;s field was rated 730, a WEF record. The best 25 horses on this year&rsquo;s long list currently averages closer to 748, a difference that comes from the sheer number of horses clustered in that high‑760/770 band. In a global context the 2024 Geneva Grand Prix (field‑strength 759) and the 2025 Dutch Masters (754) are the top fields. If we see a rating above 730 on Saturday, we will be watching the best ever here. If it clears 740, it would sit inside the top ten strongest rated Grand Prix fields anywhere in the world since 2010; even a rating of 735+ would secure a place inside the all‑time top twenty.​
All of that turns this week&rsquo;s qualifiers into more than just a route to our Saturday night final. These qualifiers will decide if we all get to see a new Wellington record.&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Smith Sweeps Carolina as Pamukcu Takes the Series Lead</h2>
Next Qualifiers: TerraNova, Florida &amp; Galway Downs, California | The Final: Morven Park, Virginia (October)
Carolina International was the fourth qualifier of the 2026 series and the first with over 25 starters, meaning expanded points were on the table. The leaderboard that emerged looks significantly different from the one that went in.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Winners</h3>
The win went to Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 who came closest to the cross country time, picking up just 1.2 time penalties to move from fifth to first. It was their fifth win together as a combination and their second at the four-star level, following their Galway Downs CCI4*-L victory.
And it didn&rsquo;t stop there. Smith swept the weekend, adding wins in the CCI3*-S with Spiro P and the CCI2*-S on Solaguayre Cantata. A three-level clean sweep that speaks to both her depth and her current form.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5b0cb64b-8068-48b4-999a-c15a2fc2b2c2.jpg?width=4000&amp;height=2667" alt="Tamie Smith Lillet 3 05449">
Photo Credit: Sally Spickard/Eventing Nation.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">The Leaderboard</h3>
Second place went to Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake and that result, combined with She's The One finishing seventh, added 65 points to her series tally in a single weekend. Pamukcu moves to 145 points and takes the series lead outright, 50 points clear of the chasing pack.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/eventing/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7bdc5f2f-5420-4cb0-9349-f60304cdc28b.png?width=658&amp;height=1111" alt="Bouckaert Review 2 (1)"></a>
Behind her, the leaderboard tightened. Will Coleman and Boyd Martin both finished inside the top five and now sit joint second, firmly within striking distance. Lucienne Bellissimo slips to fourth after moving Kitsch Couture HPK into the 3* division, while Jennie Brannigan&rsquo;s third-place finish moves her into the top ten for the first time.
<h3 dir="ltr">What's Next</h3>
This weekend brings the first doubleheader of the 2026 series with qualifiers running simultaneously on the east and west coasts at TerraNova and Galway Downs.&nbsp;
Full previews, and predictions form guides are coming. As usual, the weekly US Equestrian Open podcast episode previews both events.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e6b627a3-4fce-4bbf-8314-5c8c2402cd3e.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: A triple header sees Wandres lead the series while Jackson surprises at Del Mar</h2>
Next Qualifier: Dressage at TerraNova | Coundown: 1 week
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratings_eventing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bb3a37f0-4091-4a31-b0c4-5c6b384318c6.png?width=1920&amp;height=840" alt="Carolina Winner"></a>
Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg won the Modon FEI Nations Cup at AGDF 11 with 77.000%. This is their fourth straight freestyle improvement since their debut together last June, and another combination best. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana took second at 74.350%, and Emma Caecilia Lienert and Windermere J'Obei W rounded out the podium at 73.105%. The result moves Wandres to 49 points and first overall. Holzer lands at 44 and third.
<a href="https://us.equestrian-hub.com/public/championship/dressage/708" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7f133541-2f05-4cb8-bf74-a4bf3096ea5f.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="I Il7 a Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
The surprise of the weekend came from Del Mar, where Cyndi Jackson and Florisson won the CDI3* freestyle with a personal best of 70.915%. Jackson has produced Florisson from the start. Their first show together was a USEF Training Level test in March 2017. By 2020 they were competing at Prix St. Georges, debuted at Grand Prix in 2024, and worked through their freestyle at national shows last year before making their CDI freestyle debut at Del Mar in February. Sunday&rsquo;s win was the payoff. Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R finished second with a combination best of 70.835%, only the second time the pair have broken 70% in freestyle - the last being a ninth-place finish at the US Equestrian Open Final
In the CDI3*, also held at AGDF 11, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n and Hyatt won with 76.640%. Jennifer Williams and Joppe K took second at 75.455%&nbsp; with P.J. Rizvi and Vanilla Ice third at 73.500%. The win moves Tinne to 35 points and into a three-way tie for sixth.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
Follow us for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/useqopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>
<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
<iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40613490/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/28427a/time-start/00:00:00/hide-playlist/yes/download/yes/font-color/ffffff" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

The Open Weekly graphic with Tamie Smith and Lillet 3

The Open Weekly: Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix Week Arrives as New Series Leaders Emerge

Kent Farrington and Greya stopped the timers in 42.99 seconds before a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans to take the $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix CSI5*, the highest-rated Grand Prix in Wellington International history.<a href="https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us"> </a>It was a home win in every sense -- the first American to take the Rolex Finale Grand Prix in seven years, delivered in front of a crowd that knew exactly what they were watching.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4a7faa5f-aee0-4706-906f-74d269da1821.jpg?width=null&amp;height=null" alt="Aw Jumping Final 379" loading="lazy">
Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien finished second. Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir rounded out the top three. Vogel, the reigning European Champion, stopped the clock in 42.87 seconds but had a rail at the last fence. After months of build up, two days of qualifying and two hours of jumping, for the champion to be decided with the final fence felt fitting.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">The Course and the Jump-Off</h3>
Course designer Guilherme Jorge set an 18-effort track that demanded accuracy, scope, and tremendous athleticism from the 40 qualified combinations.<a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a>The average clear rate at Wellington in this final week is just 18% over the last 10 runnings. We expected beforehand that we might see 7 make the jump off. When the defending champion of the Open Christian Kukuk crashed through the wall early in the course, and early on the night, we knew a major chance for a US win was on.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/3dacbede-8910-49bb-a8d0-1d7637c89e46.png?width=5037&amp;height=3502" alt="Greyaears" loading="lazy">&nbsp; Five combinations produced clear rounds to make it to the jump-off, a number Farrington called exactly right. "If you under build the course even a little bit, you could easily see 20 clears," he said. "It's very possible to jump clear, and I think that is what this level of competition should be about."
The first to jump of the five was Ben Maher with Enjeu de Grisien. They were clear and fast and the time was set. This horse has now jumped in 6 CSI5* 160 jump-offs, jumped clear in all six and been on the podium every time. They have only won one, in London back in December 2023.
Going third in the jump-off order, Farrington and Greya took on the eight-fence track with precision.<a href="https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us"> </a>The fastest clear of the first round had already signaled where this evening was headed but the tension was incredible. Their clear round was met with huge hometown excitement but nobody was brave enough to call the win at this stage.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d9ca34dd-8028-47d6-9ed3-62693f76d276.jpg?width=4338&amp;height=5423" alt="C E5 A4907">
German riders had won four of the last five runnings of this competition, including Richard Vogel himself with Cepano Baloubet in 2023. He has found a new superstar in Gangster Montdesir. This horse was already a five star winner at Wellington this season (Week 5) and the rider is the most in-form rider in the sport. They arrived at the last fence faster than Greya but added a stride and had it down. While US fans will celebrate the win here, there is no doubt now that Vogel will be a major threat to Kent Farrington and Scott Brash in both the world rankings and in this summer&rsquo;s World Championships.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Greya the Great</h3>
Farrington and Greya were competing in their 16th CSI5* 1.60m jump-off together, with a 60% win rate from those jump-offs.<a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a>Saturday's victory marked Greya's 10th CSI5* Grand Prix win. Farrington has described her as a once-in-a-career horse, and he didn't shy away from it after the win. "You do this for a long time, and you have some good horses, maybe some great horses, and then you have horses that are an outlier athlete like I believe Greya is. She can do everything. She's fast, she's careful, she's scopey, and she's rideable.
Three words, though? "My favorite horse."
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e70132fe-5e3f-4d82-a285-136f18dbe278.jpg?width=5710&amp;height=5464" alt="C E5 A5909">
<h3 dir="ltr">The Field. The Record.</h3>
We told you last week this was shaping up to be something historic. The field was confirmed as the best Grand Prix field ever assembled at Wellington International and one of the top 20 rated fields globally over the last 15 years.<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/1-million-rolex-us-equestrian-103046665.html">&nbsp;</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/ff0e9aa4-9a7a-4539-90ac-7431ebe4e9d8.png?width=1200&amp;height=1500" alt="Top Rated Wellington Fields">
<h3 dir="ltr">What the Open Is Becoming</h3>
Farrington was asked about the US Equestrian Open series and what it can build toward. His answer cut to the core of what the series is trying to do. "People start to understand. They start to follow, they start to know who the riders are, and they know who the horses are. I think that's really what our sport becomes about. It starts with a community here knowing what to cheer for."
Wellington International President Michael Stone called the evening mind-blowing. "The fact that the crowd silenced when the riders and horses were on course -- you could hear a pin drop -- and then as they came down to the last fence, everyone was cheering."<a href="https://horsesdaily.com/article/kent-farrington-hoists-trophy-in-1000000-rolex-us-equestrian-open-grand-prix-csi5/"> </a>
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The Mission of the Open&nbsp; 
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US Equestrian sport. Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from October 8&ndash;11, 2026. The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at <a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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Kent Farrington and Greya holding the Open trophy

 A Record Field. A Home Win. A US Champion.

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Finally the day is here. The first of two qualifiers which lead us into the US Equestrian Open of Jumping Final.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2 id="how-todays-qualifier-works" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How today&rsquo;s qualifier works</h2>
Sixty horses and riders come forward in the CSI5* $116,100 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup, the first official qualifier for the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final.&nbsp; The competition runs over two rounds: every combination jumps Round 1, then the top 12 on faults and time come back for Round 2 to decide today&rsquo;s prize money and ranking.
<h2 id="how-to-qualify-for-saturday" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">How to qualify for Saturday</h2>
Thirty of today&rsquo;s 60 starters will book their ticket to the Final: the 12 who jump again in Round 2, plus the next 18 best-placed combinations from Round 1 who do not return.
Tomorrow night offers a second chance: another qualifier will add 10 more spots to complete the 40‑strong Final line‑up alongside any pre‑qualified riders.
That means some horses we see today are here purely to secure qualification; riders may swap to a different top horse for the Grand Prix itself once they are safely through.
<h2 id="stars-to-watch" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Stars to watch</h2>
There is still plenty of star power on show: Laura Kraut brings the ultra‑consistent Bisquetta, Nina Mallevaey lines up with in‑form Dynastie de Beaufor, and Karl Cook partners the electric Caracole de la Roque.
These combinations arrive with strong recent CSI5* form and high Elo ratings in 1.55m classes, marking them out as serious threats for both today&rsquo;s win and Saturday night&rsquo;s spotlight.
<h2 id="follow-along" class="font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_&amp;]:clear-end text-lg first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4">Follow along</h2>
For the full picture on every horse and rider, <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the detailed Fan Guide</a> for today&rsquo;s qualifier on the US Equestrian Open site:
You can also dive into the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/fanguide-jumpingqualifier1/the-startlist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complete start list and running order here</a>.&nbsp;
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Qualifier 1: From 60 to 30

The US Equestrian Open of Eventing begins! The action begins in Bouckaert this weekend and with it comes a maximum points opportunity: more than 25 horses are entered at the CCI4*-S, meaning 50 points are on offer for the winner.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
The dressage phase kicks off Friday at 8:30 a.m., with show jumping later that afternoon at 1:15 p.m. Cross-country takes place Saturday at 12:10 p.m (All times are EST).
Fans can follow all the action live and for free on the USEF Network livestream.
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Dressage</h2>
<img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/05520aa7-6bab-471e-ab3d-cc369e18abfb.png?width=784&amp;height=1308" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
Based on EquiRatings' 6RA (the average of a horse's last six FEI dressage scores) Isabelle Bosley's Conner heads the entire field with a 6RA of 24.9. In Conner's eight international starts, he has never scored above 30.0 in dressage. His most recent outing was a win at the CCI3*-L at Maryland in October, where he posted a 24.8. He is only nine years old and is moving up to the four-star short level for the first time this weekend.
That step up matters. The CCI4*-S test introduces greater complexity and difficulty, including flying changes, which Conner has not been asked to perform in international competition before. Whether he can carry his exceptional dressage form into a harder test is one of the key questions of Friday morning. The potential is clearly there. And if he does delivers, the venue record could be under threat. The best score ever recorded here is a 25.1 from Buck Davidson and Carlevo in 2022.
Boyd Martin enters four horses in the field, and his Commando 3 ranks second in dressage with a 6RA of 27.6. Commando 3 finished on the podium twice at five-star level last year and is a known quantity at this level. Martin and Commando 3 carry a 20% win chance heading into the weekend, the highest in the field.
Just three of the last 10 Bouckaert winners were leading after dressage. The course here has consistently exerted itself in the jumping phases. In fact, only one combination in the entire history of the Bouckaert CCI4*-S, across 280 starters, has ever finished on their dressage score. That was Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino in 2018, who set the Bouckaert record finishing score of 30.0. A record that still stands.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/2700730d-9a02-48ad-9508-3dc6877c0239.png?width=1080&amp;height=614" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (2)">
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<h3 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h3>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">Show Jumping</h2>
Show jumping follows immediately after dressage on Friday afternoon. To find the best showjumpers in the field, each horse is ranked using three numbers. First, each horse&rsquo;s average jumping penalties from their last six FEI runs. That figure is then compared to the average penalties recorded by all competitors over those same courses, to reflect how difficult the tracks were. The final number adjusts the horse&rsquo;s average against the course average. The lower the figure, the better. It shows a horse jumping better than the overall level of difficulty would suggest.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/efa0d720-d373-4960-b8cc-82528926dbcc.png?width=949&amp;height=1154" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (3)">
Based on this, the top-ranked show jumper in the field is Zachary Brandt and Direct Advance, with an adjusted SJ average of -3.9. Direct Advance has been among the most consistent performers having not&nbsp; knocked a rail since 2023, and even then it was a single pole. He is likely to sit back from the dressage standings, meaning a demanding show jumping course is exactly what he'll be hoping for.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor rank second at -3.6, and HSH Connor brings the longest incoming clear streak in the field: eight consecutive international show jumping rounds without a pole. This partnership also carry a 10% win chance, second only to Boyd Martin.&nbsp;
The historical clear rate at Bouckaert is 35%. 94 of 268 starters have gone clear with no jump or time faults. However, it can vary by year: 2021 saw 15 combinations go clear, while 2016 produced none. Show jumping here is not a formality. Of the last eight show jumping leaders, four went on to win, suggesting it is a significant but not decisive lead indicator.&nbsp;
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide &mdash; How to Follow</a>
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
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Bouckaert Begins: Who to Watch on Friday

The dressage and show jumping phases are done. Now comes the part that defines Bouckaert.
Historically, this course rewards the bold. Just 67% of Bouckaert's 247 starters have jumped cross-country clear, all time, and only 2% have done so inside the time. Saturday will separate the serious competitors from the field.
<a style="display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; width: fit-content; margin: 0 auto; background-color: #002147; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; padding: 14px 28px; border: 2px solid #002147; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.06em; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease; cursor: pointer;" href="https://usequestrianopen.info/bouckaertmarch2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp; Bouckaert Fan Guide</a>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Most Consistent Cross Country Jumpers</h2>
At the top of EquiRatings' cross-country rankings sits Boyd Martin and Commando 3, who also leads the pre-event predictions with a 20% win chance - the highest in the field. His adjusted XC figure of +33% is the standout number among the jumpers, reflecting a horse who consistently clears more than the courses he faces would suggest. Last year, Commando 3 had to podiums at the five-star level and is a known quantity at the sharp end of big events.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/54aa9698-d765-4307-af12-f1160e6c57fc.png?width=1021&amp;height=1322" alt=" Bouckaert Spring 2026 Insta Size (4)">
Second in the rankings is Phelps and Mia Farley, whose adjusted figure of +31% trails only Commando 3. In 20 international starts, Phelps has only ever picked up cross country penalties once. He has jumped clear on some of the toughest courses in the sport; Morven Park 4*L, Maryland 5*, Kentucky 5*, and many more.
Third in the rankings is Lainey Ashker and Lovedance, with an adjusted figure of +30%. The caveat is that those numbers are built largely on their 3* record as the pair have only contested one CCI4*-S together, which ended in elimination. However, with two wins and two third-place finishes across three years of international competition, the talent is clear. The question now is whether they can translate that form into a clean four-star run at Bouckaert today.
Fourth in the rankings is Ali Kuhn and Little Hail, with an adjusted figure of +27%. The 15.1hh OTTB, who is instantly recognisable in their signature pink cross-country colours, captured hearts at last year's Kentucky 4* with a clear round, and this weekend they contest their second four-star at Bouckaert.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Fastest Horses in the Field</h2>
<div style="overflow: hidden;"><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 16px 24px; width: 340px; height: auto;" src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7886516b-dd2c-49fb-8b3d-8e1d7352c6de.png?width=643&amp;height=1350" alt="Bouckaert Spring 2026">
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Topping the speed rankings are Phelps and Mia Farley and HSH Double Sixteen ridden by Caroline Pamukcu, both with a Top Speed Percentage of 94%.&nbsp;
Few horses in eventing carry the reputation Phelps does on a cross country course. The iconic thoroughbred announced himself to the wider world at the Maryland 5* in 2023 as the only horse inside the time, a result that placed him in the top 10. The last time this combination contested Bouckaert (2024), Mia used the event as a prep run for Kentucky, carrying 22 time penalties in a deliberately measured round. Whether their plan is to go fast or slow, it is always a pleasure to see a fan favourite like Phelps back out on a cross-country course.
HSH Double Sixteen's speed credentials come with impressive records behind them. The pair were clear inside the time at Stable View's CCI4*-S last September, becoming just the second combination in the past five years to achieve it at that event. That performance helped secure the win, making HSH Double Sixteen one of only two horses to record two qualifier victories in the 2025 Series - the first coming at this very event exactly 12 months ago. They proved their speed again at the US Equestrian Open Final at Morven Park, where they were the first combination of the day to finish inside the time.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">The Numbers Behind Saturday</h2>
Of the last ten Bouckaert winners, the cross country phase has been the decisive factor. Just 2% of all starters have ever gone clear and inside the time here, a stark reminder of what the course asks.
The historical XC clear rate sits at 67%, meaning roughly one in three starters will pick up cross-country jumping faults. Whether the leaders from Friday hold their positions,&nbsp; or whether the course reshuffles the deck entirely, is the story of Saturday.
The action begins at 12:10 p.m. EST. Watch live and free on the USEF Network.
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/the-open-weekly-bouckaert-opens-vaughn-takes-the-lead-and-cook-shines-at-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/797de4a4-a9fd-4ef8-8f83-7253791613fc.png?width=4048&amp;height=577" alt="Us Open Blog Inserts"></a></h2>
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<h2 dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 dir="ltr">Follow the US Equestrian Open of Eventing</h2>
Check out the full Series calendar below and stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Instagram.&nbsp;</a>Use #USEqOpen to join the conversation.
Also follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X (Twitter)</a>.&nbsp;
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
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For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.
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Cross Country day at Bouckaert Farm

Claire Darnell is the statistical favorite heading into Saturday's qualifier in Ocala. She averages 73% across six FEI starts, and no one else in this field is consistently above 71. A win moves her to 35 points on the season, tying Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall.
That said, Darnell and Harrold S haven't hit peak form yet this season. Their two 2026 starts came in at 70.560% and 73.450% &mdash; one sitting a full three points below their average, the other just at it. Neither remotely approaching the 77% PB that gives her this much separation from the field. If Saturday is the day they finally start pulling that average back up, it won't be a close class. If it isn't, the placings become considerably more interesting.
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-axBwn" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: WEC Ocala March CDI3*" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/axBwn/1/" height="515" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
<h2 dir="ltr">An Unknown Variable</h2>
This weekend, Shelly Francis makes her FEI freestyle debut with Estero, and it's the most interesting variable on the entry list. Their one USEF score puts them within podium range, of course with the caveat that one national result doesn't tell you much about how the FEI test will score. CDI judging can cut both ways: the panel tends to be sharper, but the atmosphere often brings something out in horses that the scores reflect. Whether Estero is that kind of horse is exactly what Saturday is for.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Supporting Cast</h2>
Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis are also worth watching. Two starts is a thin sample, but both came this season in the Series and they're averaging 71%, second in this field behind Darnell. Currently sitting ninth on the overall leaderboard, a solid finish Saturday likely moves them into the top five.
Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber are still early in their freestyle career together, having done their first last November. Osborne's PB of 70.775% came at the January Ocala show &mdash; the same day Darnell had one of her below-average starts &mdash; and she averages just under that across three tests. Third is where the data puts her.
Micaela Mabraga&ntilde;a and Belatrix Rh average 68.2% across three Series starts.

Close up of dressage saddle with rider in it

Darnell Enters WEC as Favorite, With Caveats

<h2 dir="ltr">Eventing: Pamukcu and HSH Connor Win at Bouckaert as the Series Leaderboard Tightens</h2>
Next Qualifier: Carolina International | Countdown: 1 Week
Bouckaert has always been a course that is tight on time. Of 270 cross country starters in the event's history, just 1% have ever beaten the clock and this weekend was no exception. The fastest time of the day belonged to&nbsp;Tamie Smith and Ferrie&rsquo;s Cello, who still added 14.8 time penalties. No one even got close. Although, this may have been partly by design for some combinations - an early-season run to build fitness, test strength, or a steady step on the road to Kentucky.
<h3 dir="ltr">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Connor</h3>
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Connor took the win of the first 2026 eventing qualifier. Fourth after dressage on 29.8, third after show jumping, and then incrementally faster cross country than the combinations ahead of them. It was a win built on accumulation rather than any single defining moment.
It was HSH Connor's ninth consecutive show jumping clear, a run that stretches back to 2023 without a pole down. It was also their first win at the four-star level together and Pamukcu's eighth CCI4*-S career win, across five different horses.&nbsp;
Pamukcu also finished 4th with HSH Double Sixteen and 6th with King&rsquo;s Especiale, moving her onto 80 points and into a tie with Lucienne Bellissimo who led the Series over the winter break.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e5e51b2e-03a5-44a3-819a-0bba7cfa767c.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Vld71 Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Eventing "></a>
<h3 dir="ltr">Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3&nbsp;</h3>
Boyd Martin and Commando 3 led after dressage on 26.4 and held that position through show jumping, only slipping to second when cross-country time penalties proved costlier than Pamukcu&rsquo;s. It is still a strong result&nbsp; and the start of a season that will likely see them on the road to the World Championships in Aachen. Martin also placed fifth with Cooley Nutcracker and seventh with Fetiche Des Rouges which puts Boyd second in the Series standing.
<h3 dir="ltr">Buck Davidson &amp; Cooley Candyman&nbsp;</h3>
Third place went to Buck Davidson and Cooley Candyman. Their 30.5 dressage score was their standout moment of the weekend, scoring a full three marks better than their 6RA of 33.5. Of Cooley Candyman&rsquo;s 14 top-level starts (CCI4* and CCI5*), this ranks as his joint second-best test. That dressage performance is what kept them in contention on a weekend when the jumping phases offered very little room to gain ground.
Carolina International is only a week away. With over 25 entries, increased Series points are on offer and Bellissimo, Pamukcu and Martin are all in the field. The gap at the top is now zero and it&rsquo;s very unlikely to stay that way.
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/254e09dd-d92e-4194-986b-baf0dbd8460b.png?width=1080&amp;height=158" alt="Read More Eventing"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Jumping: The Final Five-Star Before the Final</h2>
The US Equestrian Open Final: Wellington, Week 12 | Countdown: 2 Weeks
Three CSI5* Grand Prix have now been contested at Wellington this season. Three different winners from three different nations. Germany's Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir opened with a win in Week 5. McLain Ward and High Star Hero won for the US in Week 7. And on Saturday night, Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue claimed Week 9 for Ireland - the last five-star of the WEF season before the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12.
<h3 dir="ltr">Darragh Kenny &amp; Eddy Blue</h3>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/33facec0-5c75-4203-945b-6c5d4d5f44c2.jpg?width=3837&amp;height=2558" alt="Darragh Kenny (alamy)">
Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue had been placed at this venue before but Saturday night was their first outright Wellington Grand Prix win together. It was also their second CSI5* Grand Prix victory as a partnership, having won the World Cup of London in 2024.
The jump-off margin was fine: 41.77 seconds against a target of 41.92. Kenny left a stride out in the first line, a calculated risk with a horse he trusts implicitly.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7b945753-f368-4ff7-972a-61cc0a04c2a1.png?width=1080&amp;height=1106" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (1)">
<h3 dir="ltr">A Rare Tie for Second&nbsp;</h3>
The jump-off produced something that almost never happens at this level. Marilyn Little and La Contessa set the target at 41.92 seconds as the pathfinder. Six rounds later, Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B crossed the line in an identical time. A dead heat for second place. It is the first time in nearly four years that a CSI5* Grand Prix produced a tie for second place. The last occasion was Hamburg 2022, where Andr&eacute; Thieme and Michael Pender matched each other in second.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7e4f957d-ea55-4942-83db-776fa4243f8a.jpeg?width=1280&amp;height=902" alt="Iw Wellington Nations Cup 334">
For Marilyn Little and La Contessa, it was a first CSI5* podium together, though the underlying form has been building. This pair have jumped clear in each of their last five five-star Grands Prix.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c2b289e8-b4df-4c02-a925-15825588fc46.png?width=1080&amp;height=1196" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (5)">
For Thaisa Erwin, it was a landmark on two counts. Not only a first five-star podium with&nbsp;Hialita B, but the first time since 2010 that an Australian rider has stood on a WEF five-star Grand Prix podium.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/468a2f18-6c97-45b8-b501-4efce7a80d33.png?width=1080&amp;height=1294" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (6)">
All three competitors who finished on the podium confirmed they are aiming for the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix in Week 12. The form lines are close. The final is just two and a half weeks away.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/20ed7f72-bc2a-44d1-992d-685d98f89829.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Open Weekly Quotes (2)">
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/jumping" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/eeee484b-ef16-4e10-9de3-6d72b0a7f0c7.png?width=1080&amp;height=161" alt="Read More Jumping"></a>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Dressage: Darnell and Harrold S Find Their Form at WEC</h2>
Next Qualifier: Wellington AGDF 10 - CDI-W | The Final: Desert Dressage, Thermal CA (November)
Claire Darnell and Harrold S won Saturday's freestyle at WEC in Ocala with a strong showing. Darnell posted 74.315%, topping four of five judges and sitting second only from the judge at B. It's her best result of the season, and the closest she's looked to the 77% version of herself we've been waiting to see this season. The class finished with three combinations after withdrawals in both the Grand Prix and the freestyle, but that doesn't diminish what Darnell and Harrold S put on the board.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d521ae2f-c76b-418c-b329-4e296336d150.png?width=909&amp;height=1102" alt="Screenshot 2026 03 10 120205">
The fight for second and third came down to five hundredths of a point. Leonardo Antonio Godoy and Marques Do Lis took second at 70.390%, with Charlotte Osborne and Fruhlingszauber at 70.340% in third. Osborne's only judge win came at B, where she edged out the rest of the field with a 70.975%. On the leaderboard, Godoy moves to fifth with 33 points, a significant jump for a partnership that now has three of four counting starts. Osborne climbs to a tied eighth on 29 points.
<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0c7d2dc9-3c7c-4fd8-ad69-30ae5af6ce48.png?width=1240&amp;height=714" alt="Dnod U Current Leaderboard of the Us Equestrian Open of Dressage "></a>
For Darnell, the win moves her to 35 points on the season, drawing level with Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu for third overall. The Series heads to Wellington next week for the final CDI-W qualifier, where names like Ben Ebeling and Kevin Kohmann are expected on the entry list.
<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/df3afaab-1f25-4fab-a1dc-c46c608169fb.png?width=1080&amp;height=171" alt="Read More Dressage"></a>
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<h2 data-path-to-node="4">Stay in the Loop with The Open Weekly</h2>
Thanks for joining us for this week's edition! Don't forget: a fresh update of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/the-open-weekly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Open Weekly</a>&nbsp;drops on the site&nbsp;every Tuesday.
<h3 data-path-to-node="9">Join the Conversation</h3>
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<h3 data-path-to-node="6">Go Beyond the Article</h3>
Catch the latest insights and expert interviews on the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.libsyn.com/559710" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a>.
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Open Weekly Graphic with Caroline Pamukcu

The Open Weekly: Pamukcu, Kenny, and Darnell Take Wins Across the Disciplines

Claire Darnell could leave TerraNova as the Series leader, and it&rsquo;s not a long shot. She doesn't even need to win. A second-place finish puts her at 50 points, which is enough to bump her past current leader, Frederic Wandres of Germany. She has three qualifiers completed and one to go, which means a strong result here fills out her scoring slots and puts her safely within the top 18 qualifying line for the Final.
Darnell and Harrold S have seven FEI freestyle starts together, averaging 73.229% with a personal best of 77.015%. This season may have started slow with a 70.560%, but they quickly followed it up with a 73.450% and 74.315% in subsequent outings. They&rsquo;ve yet to touch that 77% PB, but the trajectory is pointed in the right direction, and in a six-horse field, a podium is all but expected.
<h2 dir="ltr">The Two Riders Who Won't Make It Easy</h2>
<iframe id="datawrapper-chart-hHOwK" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats: TerraNova Dressage 1" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hHOwK/1/" height="583" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Table" data-external="1"></iframe>
Devon Kane and Vamos arrive with a PB of 75.305 and a 12-start average of 72.35% &mdash; both trailing Darnell's marks, but close enough that a strong Kane performance and a routine Darnell performance produce the same result. Kane's recent form has been variable: 74.235% in February, then 71.900% and 72.120% in her two March starts. She has 26 points on the leaderboard with one qualifier remaining, and even a last-place finish this weekend adds seven points and moves her into the top ten. A podium finish does considerably more. She's currently 15th, and a top-three result this weekend puts her into the top five. Kane has every reason to ride for a placing this weekend, not just a score.&nbsp;
Camille Carier Bergeron and Finnlanderin are the class favorite with an average of 73.485%, and a personal best of 77.280% set at Devon in September 2024. Her average and PB are the highest in the field, albeit only marginally above Darnell&rsquo;s. Perhaps the largest caveat to Carier Bergeron&rsquo;s first place prediction this week is timing. Her last freestyle start was in November 2025. A strong 75.275% showing, but more than four months ago. That's not automatically a problem, but it's the kind of thing that could manifest in a lower showing in a first outing back. If she's sharp, she wins this class. If there's any rust, Darnell is positioned to make her pay for it.
Watch Darnell, Carier Bergeron, Kane, and the rest of the field Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET from one of the most picturesque venues on the dressage calendar. Stream TerraNova Dressage I live on the <a href="https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/18558/terranova-dressage-i">USEF Network</a>. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.

A New Series Leader Could Emerge at TerraNova

James Alliston has owned Twin Rivers Ranch like few riders have owned any venue at the four-star level in the US. Back-to-back wins at the California venue &mdash; most recently with HMR Rolan in 2025 &mdash; made him the name synonymous with this event. However, with no entry in the four-star division from Alliston this weekend, for the first time in three years, someone else will take the title.
James Alliston will compete four horses at Twin Rivers this weekend (three nationally and one in the 3*). He most recently won an Advanced class with HMR Rolan &mdash; last year&rsquo;s September winner &mdash; at Ram Tap in March, where he ran five horses across Open Intermediate and Advanced. He&rsquo;s still in top form and as competitive as ever. He just won&rsquo;t be here this weekend.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026/who-wins--top-scores" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/02dbe48b-8d2d-429a-bcd7-8c1e40e68e1e.png?width=1230&amp;height=1730" alt="D Bfa6 the Last 10 Winners of Twin Rivers 4 S "></a>
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<h2 class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">So who may take the title instead?</h2>
Only three combinations will line up this weekend, but for the first time in years, the door is open. A new name will win here making this qualifier one you can&rsquo;t ignore.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026/who-wins--top-scores" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/28b53af8-1e49-4510-973b-a6c45b0cd058.png?width=908&amp;height=754" alt="Q Pqo E Who Wins Twin Rivers "></a>
Karen O'Neal &amp; Clooney 14 (59% Win Chance) arrive as the form pick. The 14-year-old has been competing at 4*-S level consistently since 2023, with a win and two second-place finishes at this level &mdash; and a best finishing score of 30.4 at Aspen Farms in June 2025. O'Neal and Clooney 14 will make their CCI5* debut later this month at Kentucky. Cristina Rennie &amp; Flight of the Arabesque (24% Win Chance) will contest only their third start at the four-star level. Flight of the Arabesque is the field's fastest cross-country horse by TSP at 77% having previously made the time at Aspen Farms CCI4*-S last year. Their dressage score may be on the higher end &mdash; a 37.3 at Temecula in March their most recent outing &mdash; but their XC record is the standout and could see them climb on Saturday.
Audrey Sanborn &amp; Lex D (17% Win Chance) will make their four-star&nbsp;debut together this weekend. Both are young &mdash; Audrey just 25 and Lex D only 10 &mdash; but that brings potential, not limitation. Where they could really make a move is in the dressage: Lex D leads the field on a 6RA of 31.3, having scored a personal best of 26.4 in their only international run this season (Galway Downs CCI3*-S)
 One of these three will write their name into Twin Rivers history - ending James Alliston&rsquo;s streak that once felt unbeatable.
Check out the <a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free fan guide</a> for more stats, stories, and insights about the US Equestrian Open Qualifier at Twin Rivers this weekend.
<a href="https://usequestrianopen.info/twinriversapril2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b8340db6-788f-4df3-b867-268971b4d88c.png?width=499&amp;height=603" alt="Screenshot 2026 04 09 164931"></a>
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<h3>The Mission of the Open&nbsp; </h3>
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The US Equestrian Open was born from a strategic&nbsp;Board of Directors decision in 2023 to build a permanent legacy for US&nbsp;Equestrian sport.&nbsp;Its mission is to grow and foster a deeper connection to equestrianism by delivering a premier, unified championship series in the Olympic disciplines.&nbsp; With top-level competition, storytelling, and a dynamic, entertaining experience, the&nbsp;vision is to transform disparate events into a cohesive, narrative-driven season.&nbsp;The series is anchored by&nbsp;core values which include fan-first accessibility, competitive integrity, storytelling, and a dynamic&nbsp;entertaining experience onsite&nbsp;.
The&nbsp;US Equestrian Open&nbsp;spans the three Olympic disciplines&mdash;Jumping, Eventing, and Dressage&mdash;with USEF contributing $200,000 in prize money to each final to ensure high-stakes competitive integrity. The Jumping Final took place at Wellington International from&nbsp;March 24&ndash;29, 2026. Next stop will be&nbsp; the Eventing Final at Morven Park from&nbsp;October 8&ndash;11, 2026.&nbsp;The season concludes with the Dressage Final at the Desert International Horse Park from&nbsp;November 11&ndash;15, 2026. You can follow along with the qualifiers, the unfolding stories and sport updates at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>, on our video series&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkdGSxID6G_eceNlWgvqIuspJsKrSqCq2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Road</a>, and on our&nbsp;<a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weekly podcast</a>.&nbsp;
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Karen O'Neal & Clooney 14 jumping cross-country

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